Plaid Cymru - standing up for Dwyfor-Meirionnydd

Plaid Cymru Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts has responded to a decision by the Factory Shop to refuse to allow staff members at their Pwllheli store to wear badges showing that they speak Welsh. 

Liz Saville Roberts MP said,

‘I am encouraged that the Factory Shop themselves acknowledge that most of their staff have a basic understanding of the Welsh language.’

‘But better provisions should be put in place to enable both customers and staff to conduct business in Welsh, especially in Pwllheli. One simple way to do this is to use visible signals like badges or lanyards.’  

‘If Welsh speaking customers wish to converse in their own language, then so be it – that is their right. Likewise, if staff members want to promote their ability to speak Welsh the company should make most of the resources available to them to facilitate this.’  

‘It is reasonable to expect large companies who chose to set up shop in a predominantly Welsh speaking area to make it as easy as possible for both customers and staff to use the language as they so wish.’

‘Businesses should be encouraging and supporting their staff to use the Welsh language at work whilst at the same time promoting the availability of Welsh speaking staff members.’

‘This is what good customer care is all about and I would encourage the Factory Shop to adopt such an approach if they are serious about respecting the rights of Welsh speakers.’